Sunday, April 28, 2013

It felt almost like we were in Taiwan. Taking public transport together after a KTV session and buffet.. But well, we're not. Hahaha.

Randomly aunt gathered all of us once again for a meet up, it was at Cineleisure Kbox. I haven't gone back Kbox for a long, long time. I've converted to Teo Heng for sometime and it's not so bad. Comparing to the sound system, the devices, the service.... I guess I sorta know why I stopped going to Kbox for years. I use to frequent them I've got their membership card too. (I still have it in my wallet) but now, it's been almost a year since I last stepped into Kbox.

Maybe I could share my own personal views on why I don't choose Kbox anymore.

1) Obvious fact, seriously overpriced. Teo Heng may not have the most comfortable sofas or convenient location but the price you pay for Kbox is too much. Just that day, 11 of us, it was about $300/$400? It's ridiculous. Just what, 2 drinks where they don't have this and that and bubble tea you've gotta add $1 for it. And you know what's the best thing? They ran out of bubbles for bubble tea. Their Milo dinosaur? One word to describe, terrible. Just their Blueberry Soda was... passable.

2) Service was shitty. Service staff was rather rude and I guess probably new? When my brother tried ordering something that he used to order from Kbox and I couldn't find it in the menu, so I asked the service staff if there was still that drink cause it's not stated. Instead of telling me that they don't have it, she just replied me, "Oh, you see the menu lor, menu have means have." I don't need you to tell me how to read the menu young lady. Calling them to our room is like inviting super idols. (Mind you, we went on a Sunday afternoon from 3-6/7pm it was not even crowded.)

Kept forcing us to order drinks and stood there waited for our replies where she could have just come back later when we're ready. But no, she chose to stand there and kept repeating "you have 5 more drinks" (repeated like x10 times). I couldn't tolerate that it's like she couldn't understand human language. 5 minutes before, her colleague came in and demanded for 5 drinks to be ordered. Within the next 5 minutes, she came in and said "you all have 5 more drinks". I replied saying your colleague has taken our orders. "But you still have 5 more drinks".

I seriously wanted to throw the bowl of snacks on her face.

Oh, I almost forgot. Remember the billing part towards the end of the session? They would usually drop the bill with you and come back later to collect it. I have no idea since when it was a trend to stare at us to make sure we give them the money on the spot. She was literally standing infront of my brother and aunt, (while my aunt was counting cash) and just she stood there, looking at them check the bill and count cash. Refusing to budge until she got the money. I mean look, we're not going to run away. Why can't you just head somewhere else first? (She had other stack of bills to go)

3) Their sound system was terrible. The microphone wires were lousy. There was no controllers to control except that stupid touch screen that Teo Heng also has it. Their microphone don't have their "covers", well I ought to say that Teo Heng do give them.

All in all, it was quite a bad experience except that the company was awesome.

We had dinner over at Kiseki Japanese Buffet Restaurant at Orchard Central. The queue was horribly long and I'm glad we made reservations beforehand. It's about $40per head for dinner.

It's a wide selection from sushi, sashimi, dessert (with macaroons), udon, soup, beef, pizza, black curry rice, chawanmushi etc. Basically your typical Japanese food you find. I would say that the sashimi was fresh, their tuna was marinated with sesame which was refreshing. I was too busy trying to eat and forgot to take pictures.....

So I stole some from my cousins.

Credits to my cousin, Pei Lin for the photos. (Stole it from her instagram)

Saturday, April 27, 2013

I'm not really a fan of herb soup base bkt but I decided to give it a try.

I had never heard of this place so I went to do a little google about them... and found out that their website (link) is quite cute. For a hawker centre food, they even have a online menu for you to see! You can check out their menu (link).

I always like the peppery ones (when I go then I'd share with you!) but this one, really isn't too bad too.

Here's a pot of meat without those intestines etc for 4 people to share. (with their soup refillable)

Not too bad, I don't really like this but I tried a piece.

The total bill for 4 people with each a bowl of rice was only $27. It's true that the others are pretty expensive because the one I went before cost you $7 for a bowl of bkt. But whatever we ate was only $7 (rounding it up) per pax. Usually when I go the ones I went before it'd easily cost me $20/30 for 2 people for the side dishes and bkt.

They are located at:

Blk 19 #01-329

Marsiling Lane

Singapore 730019

(They do have 4 other outlets in Yio Chu Kang, Ang Mo Kio, Geylang and King's George Avenue)

Friday, April 26, 2013

We wanted to have lunch with my supervisor before she goes on her long leave hence we travelled out to Canopy Garden Dining that is located somewhere in Bishan Park for lunch.

I had heard of this place because of Allynn (she seriously knows alot about good food.) and had always wanted to try it out. Canopy Dining was also one of the new perks that SPH has now for 20% discount off our bill so it was even a better reason to be having our lunch there.

They serve different dishes for brunch and dinner and whatever that's available at dinner is not available at brunch. Mabel wanted to eat their pizzas pretty badly (cause she said it was good) but unfortunately that was a dinner menu. We had to make do with their brunch menu that is served between 9am – 5pm Mondays – Fridays, 8am – 5pm Saturdays & Sundays & Public Holidays.

Brunch menu usually appeals to me better then the dinner ones because I like all-day breakfast (especially scramble eggggggs, soft boiled egggggggs.)

Wai Pun whom decided to go healthy ordered the Myanmar salad. (Which isn't from the brunch menu but the other lunch time menu) Accordingly to a salad lover, he says it's really refreshing and nice.

Agnes had a burger sampler set which includes a beef, seafood and duck burger. So it's really adorable little burger that comes in each flavour 1.

Mabel had her club sandwich that was really huge. Inside the club sandwich was ham, chicken (really huge chicken, it's peppery by the way), egg, lettuce and tomato.

The environment is cozy and quiet. Oh and you can bring your dogs along too! But you've gotta dine on the outdoor garden instead if you have a little companion with you.

Though the combination for mine was good, I doubt the rest found anything fantastic about their dishes. Won't come back unless I have that 20% discount cause it's rather pricey comparing for the quantity they serve us with.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

I'm very sure that Strictly Pancakes is not a new name to many of you but well, it was my first time there after procrastinating for sometime that I wanted to try this place.

PS made a reservation for us (thankfully she did because the queue was horrendous when we arrived) and they require you to have 70% attendance before they allow you to enter.

Previously I blogged about Little Pancakes which you can find the link here. Comparing between the both, I can't decide because the flavours and styles are pretty different. But if you had to make me choose, I've vote for Little Pancakes. For both trips to each place, I was asked to wait 30-45 minutes for their pancakes so the waiting time makes no difference. The prices I would say Little Pancakes is more value for money. As for the quality of the pancakes.... Michael says that Strictly is better then Little Pancakes but to me I prefer the smaller one cause it's cuter and easier to eat. Of course, Strictly isn't too bad too. Up to personal preference!

There's just one more place that I wish to go and that's Nook's DIY Pancakes! Hopefully I'd be able to share with you guys when I finally get to go there.

So their syrup was really watery.................. but their salted butter was good.

I didn't get to try their herb butter but I guess PS really loves it.

This is the garlic buttered prawns under the savoury section of the pancakes, $14. (I would say it's one of the best there)

Here's a top view of it.

Here's choosing your own pancake set. If you don't like any of the combination, you can choose your own on what you want to eat.

Snuggle up is 2 huge sausages wrapped together with just toothpicks. It's quite stupid cause in the end I just remove the sticks and ate them separately. Nothing was inbetween of them, $13 for this.

Well, accordingly to Lionel, this was really good. Chicken A La King, $13.

Super filling and fat looking potato pancake. The potato is inside the pancake, and this is $12.

Potato wedges were superb, $6

Chicken wings are awesome too, $8.

Beef Skewers at $14.

I realized non of us made a choice for the sweet ones. Savoury doesn't go wrong cause sweet ones might just make us sick over the thick pancakes after a few bites.

Overall, it was alright, I would go back again if the queue isn't that horrible or beforehand I've reserved. I refuse to queue for it.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

During one of my lunches out with the bosses, we chanced upon this place called Wimbly Lu which was located beside the restaurant that we had lunch at.

The shop looks really cozy and homely from the outside and it's only open from Tuesday to Sunday with the weekdays opening only from 1pm onwards and the weekends is 9am.

We waited for it to be opened (since it was lunch time) hence we got the freshly baked cakes and pastries!

The prices were pretty reasonable (can't remember exactly how much because it was a treat from the big boss), but roughly a cake is bout $6? A scoop of ice cream is bout $4/5? Thereabout prices for the cakes and pastries/tarts there.

It's suppose to be really good in their chocolate cakes and chocolate related tarts. We tried a few (the rest I couldn't take picture of).

Blackout Cake. This is a awesomely rich chocolatey cake that I'm assuming should be their signature cake there since they are famous for their chocolate. So you've ought to try this.

I can't recall this dessert's name and the website don't have it because it's off the shelves in their cafe so.... It's something chocolatey with marshmallow, and it's awesome. Love the marshmallow and the tart. *yummmmmmmmmmmmms*

And I set my eyes on this the moment I went in the shop. (Pardon for the blurry photo.) This is the Rootbeer Cake. I love rootbeer, and I love cakes too. This, is like the best of both world for me. (Minus the vanilla, not a big fan but that was alright.) You could seriously taste the gasy rootbeer in your mouth when you eat the cake. You've ought to try this if you love rootbeer like me!

It's a pity I didn't get to take picture of the other desserts that my colleagues ordered cause we had to separate tables.

The bad thing about that small dessert shop is that the space is pretty constraint. And they aren't really flexible in shifting their tables around. So if you're going in a big group you might have to spilt up. Best to go in maximum 6-8 is good, anything more then that is a hassle. (We had about 16 people that day, so it was literally just us occupying almost the entire shop.)

Definitely will head back again to try the other desserts and share more photos!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Decided to have a personal post to wish my bro's little precious a happy birthday!

Still remember when he first came to this year bout a year ago, he was absolutely adorable (and still is). I wish he would still be the same like before. (He wouldn't cry no matter who was carrying him. Now the moment we try to carry, he cries. Shucks.)

We were invited to Fo You Yuan Vegetarian Restaurant (佛有缘素食餐厅) that was located at 153/155 Kitchener Road. The nearest carpark is at City Square mall. On Sundays you could just park along the stretch near Mustafa/Swee Choon and walk over to this restaurant. It's together facing the road with other restaurants at a stretch of old shop-houses.

Waited for awhile before the food was served. Meanwhile we had were playing with our star of the day! Here's some snap shots taken by Dennis of little Dayrius and us.

This is ought to be my favourite photo of him. Little mischievous caught in the act.

And kids will never fail to love electronics somehow.

A good shot of Allynn with Dayrius trying to grab the camera.

Trying to open up PS's wallet for the first time.

The food was good, I like the vegetables and the olive rice. Not sure if the normal daily served dishes would be the same but those that were prepared for Dayrius's birthday was good.

It was a good catch up with Barry and Yi Ning after awhile and glad to see little Dayrius growing so healthily day by day! Can't wait for you to know how to speak!

Side note, Kimberly (my adorable niece) really amazes me when she speaks. I find it really fascinating listening to kids mumble and ask questions and talk. But of course when they don't know how to stop and start crying, I will go crazy.

Thank you for the invite, and happy birthday again lil Dayrius! Hope you had enjoyed yourself with us playing with you! Don't throw too much things at home okay! (:

Sunday, April 21, 2013

This is a very interesting sushi concept that I am assuming it's the first in Singapore. So they are located at the basement of The Cathay, just down the escalator and walk straight you'd not miss their banner wrapped around the pillars.

You can either take out or dine here!

I really like their boxes cause it's very pretty!

Just so you know, they only accept cash!

Here's how the sushi maki looks like!

This is my mega san (the sizing) sushi! It has the following items:

Sweet Corn

Onion

Tobiko

Roasted Mushroom

Kani Crabstick

Salmon Sashimi

Bonito (Fish flakes)

Wasabi Mayo

Wrapped with traditional nori & Japanese white rice!

It's really amazing right! Everything into this tiny little maki. So how does it work?

For the benefit of those who have not been there before, here's the latest menu. (Apparently they have 3 sizing now)

Maki-san allows you to "pre-order" first and collect at a later timing. Which I feel is really good cause you don't have to wait for your sushi to be made. There's only 2 chefs so if the queue is long and everyone's order is customized... You should know what it means.

So let's say you're working nearby and you know you'd be dropping by for a movie or dining in later just in case of long queue, you can order and pay first, give them a timing that you'd like to collect it then off you go! When you return later to collect your sushi, it's just grab and go! How convenient!

I must say the maki is really tasty even though I feel it's a little pricey. But well, you pay for the customization.